Car-coupling



E. SHAFER. Gar-Coupling.

Patented Jan. 20, I880.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

wwd ozmz I a? M v A BY E S TTORNEYISH UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELI SHAFER, OF SIGOURNEY, IOWA.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 223,766, dated January20, 1880.

" Application filed July 9, 1879.

simple and efi'ective double-link automatic carcoupling.

The invention consists of an open-mouthed draw-head, within which is aflat-headed drawbar encircled by a strong spiral spring to force itoutward, while in the face of the head of the draw-bar is a transverserectangulargroove, within which the flattened end of the link is placedand held by a metallic block, that is afterward screwed or bolted to theface of the head and it further consists of a swinging stirrup thathangs just beneath the upper opening in the draw-head, upon which thecoupling-pin rests while uncoupling; and it further consists of adovetailed block that 'may be removed to make the upper opening largerfor the easy admission and withdrawal of the coupling-pin, whose pointis provided with a winged spur, that will fall transversely and preventthe pin from jumping out, and of the above-mentioned metallic block.

In the drawings, A represents the drawhead, made in two likelongitudinal sections, bolted together, or made in one piece, ifpreferred, and provided with upper and lower rectangular openings, a,for the admission of the coupling-pin. I

The stirrup B has its arms pivoted in the sides of the draw-head, andswings freely inside of it, and at b the draw-head is cut away to permita greater range of swing to the stirrup as the car uncouples.

At 0 is a peculiarly-shaped opening made in the draw-head for theadmission and the withdrawal of the block F. This opening is closed byablock, cl, so shaped that it cannot jar out, after the pin is inserted,from the motion of the cars.

0 is the draw-bar, around the shank of which is a strong spiral spring,f, whose function is to throw and hold it forward; also, to

hold the link in horizontal position by clasping it between the twouprights 1D and F.

D is the head of the draw-bar, across which is the rectangular groove 9,that receives the squared end of the link E.

F is a rectai'igular block, provided with lugs h, that is bolted orotherwise secured on the face of the draw-bar head, over the squared endof the link, in order that it may be held in a horizontal position bythe force of the spiral spring for coupling.

B is the stirrup, pivoted in the draw-head and hanging under the upperpin-opening. When about to uncouple two cars this stirrup hangs straightdown, and receives and supports the pin when raised and until the headsseparate, at which time the action of the spiral spring forces thedraw-bar head forward, so that the block F pushes the stirrup out of theway, and the pin falls and rests on one of its lugs h, and low enough toprevent the stirrup from again engaging it while coupling. In thisposition the parts are ready for coupling, and as the opposite linkstrikes the block F and forces it back the unsupported pin G,providedtwith the hinged spur 7c, falls through both links and completesthe coupling.

If at any time it be desirable to remove a link, the block F is unboltedfrom the drawbar head and withdrawn through the opening in the top ofthe draw-head, which is enlarged for this purpose by the removal of thedovetailed block 61, and this operation-this renewal or change-can-beperformed with great ease and celerity.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The within-described car-coupling, consisting of draw head A,provided with rectangular openings a, triangular recess b, and opening0, stirrup B, draw -bar 0, provided with spiral spring f and groovedhead D, 5

dovetailed block d, link E, provided with a squared end, rectangularblock F, provided with lugs h, and coupling-pin G, provided with ahinged spur 7c, constructed and arranged substantially as herein shownand described.

2. The pivoted stirrup B, arranged to swing block, F, and swingingstirrup B, as and for in a recess b, of the draw-head, as and for thepurpose specified. the purpose described.

3. The block 01, arranged between the pin ELI S 5 and draw-head, andshaped to fit a recess, 0, Witnesses:

as and for the purpose set forth; 1 JOHN E. HURsEY,

4. The combination, in a car-coupling, of a W. H. YOUNG.

